30 Creative Things to Do With Elf on the Shelf for When You Are All Out of Ideas
- 1/30
First, Adopt Your Elf
The Elf on the Shelf
amazon.com
$52.50
Don't forget to give your new elf a name! That's half the fun. Once he's properly named, then he can start his job reporting to Santa at the North Pole each night, and make his official arrival in your home.
- 2/30
Elf on the Shelf in Quarantine
It's 2020, so of course your elf needs his own face mask. Pose him next to a letter (download it for free here) reminding your kids to wash their hands.
- 3/30
Elf on the Shelf at a Drive-In Movie Theater
Set up your iPad to play your child's favorite holiday movie for an elf-sized drive-in experience.
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- 4/30
Elf on the Shelf Goes Sledding
White washcloths make a handy stand-in for snowy slopes!
- 5/30
Elf on the Shelf Golfing
He may be on the job, but your elf still can get in a little leisure time. Use a mini marshmallow and a candy cane for his putt-putt gear.
- 6/30
Elf on the Shelf With Doughnuts
Tell your kids that your elf brought back some freshly baked doughnuts from the North Pole, straight out of Mrs. Claus' oven!
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- 7/30
Elf on the Shelf Superhero
The Elf on the Shelf
amazon.com
Whether you stage him flying through the air or using his super strength, there's so much you can do with this elf superhero costume.
- 8/30
Elf on the Shelf Mermaid
The Elf on the Shelf
amazon.com
Turn your elf into a mermaid on the shelf with this slip-on tail — then set up him up next to the bathtub or a sink.
- 9/30
Elf on the Shelf Riding a Hot Air Balloon
The Elf on the Shelf
amazon.com
$29.95
Oh, the places your elf will go. You can hang this hot air balloon from the ceiling with your elf sitting inside to up the ante.
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- 10/30
Elf on the Shelf Wrapping Gifts
How cute are this elf's brown paper packages, tied up with strings? You can fill them with dollar-store trinkets, or pieces of candy, as a gift from your elf to your kids.
- 11/30
Elf on the Shelf Sack Race
Your kids will be truly thrilled to see how your elf fares against some of their favorite toys.
- 12/30
Elf on the Shelf Drawing Banana Minions
If your elf is a bit of a graffiti artist, he might be tempted to turn some bright-yellow bananas into Minions.
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- 13/30
Elf on the Shelf Candy Cane Sledding
How cute are these little candy cane sleds? They're easy to DIY: Just hot glue a handful of candy canes together.
- 14/30
Elf on the Shelf Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
The Elf on the Shelf
amazon.com
Poodle skirts are out, retro reindeer skirts are in, as this elf — who looks like she just came home from the sock hop — can attest.
- 15/30
Elf on the Shelf Re-Caffeinating
Here's one way to reuse those old K-Cups — just cut a straw in half and let him "drink" up.
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- 16/30
Elf on the Shelf Taking a Sick Day
Even elves find themselves under the weather from time to time. If yours feels the chills, get a doctor's note so he can take some much-needed time off.
- 17/30
Elf on the Shelf Goes Black Tie
The Elf on the Shelf
amazon.com
$32.95
If you think about it, an Elf on the Shelf is a little super-spy, so he should get to dress like James Bond every once in a while.
- 18/30
Elf on the Shelf Staging 'The Elfcracker'
The Elf on the Shelf
amazon.com
$21.95
Any Nutcracker fan would get a kick seeing their elf dressed up as a sugar-plum fairy. Check out this set, which comes with a dress, a mini toy soldier, and a pair of ballet shoes.
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- 19/30
Elf on the Shelf Playing Extreme Hide and Seek
A dry-erase marker makes for the perfect camouflage makeup; it'll take an extra minute to find him hiding in the Christmas tree.
- 20/30
Elf on the Shelf Taking a Spa Day
What could be more relaxing than a marshmallow jacuzzi? (Answer: Nothing.)
- 21/30
Elf on the Shelf Staging a Photo Shoot
Everybody loves a photobooth! Get your elf to bring some of the other toys in on the photobooth fun — and give them some DIY props.
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- 22/30
Elf on the Shelf Peeking Into Gifts
He gets the run of the house at night, so of course your elf is going to feel tempted to peek at some presents. Hopefully, he won't let the cat out of the bag.
- 23/30
Elf on the Shelf Gone Fishing
If you can stand parting with a few Goldfish crackers (and then cleaning them up out of the sink), they make for the perfect denizens of a bathroom fishin' hole.
- 24/30
Elf on the Shelf LEGO Ambush
Those LEGO minifigs can really stir up some trouble! Better give them a piece of the action.
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- 25/30
Elf on the Shelf Mourning a Melting Snowman
You can DIY your own melted snowman, or buy one that comes pre-smushed. Either way, reassure your elf (and family) that he'll be right as rain once he freezes up again.
- 26/30
Elf on the Shelf Reading Books
It's Story Time at the toy box! (And what a sweet scene to wake up to.)
- 27/30
Elf on the Shelf Eating Candy
Elves love things all things sugar, so he really couldn't help himself. (We've all been there.)
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- 28/30
Elf on the Shelf Making Snow Angels
This elf is making his snow angels out of rice, but you can also use sugar or sprinkles.
- 29/30
Hungry Elf on the Shelf
When you put your elf in a cake stand or a cookie jar, make sure you add an empty wrapper so it looks like your elf has been munching.
- 30/30
Elf on the Shelf Off to the North Pole Again
Say goodbye to your elf — Merry Christmas and see you next year!
No more 3 a.m. panics because you forgot to move him.